Seattle, Washington — July 28, 2024 — Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) has published “Understanding the Apple IIe: Enhanced Edition” by Jim Sather – an important and rare book that encompasses a unique technical examination the Apple IIe.
Originally published in 1985 and a rarity to find, this new 450+ page “Enhanced Edition” is remastered and re-typeset, with updated text, layout, color, and over 120 technical illustrations. Text has been updated throughout, with additional coverage of the Enhanced IIe, Platinum IIe, and international models. It is the definitive source of information about how the Apple IIe works. Jim Sather has followed up his exhaustive analysis of the inner workings of the Apple II computer with an even more detailed analysis of the Apple IIe. His findings are documented in a way that will benefit everyone interested in microcomputer technology.
Steve Wozniak said in 1985, “Understanding the Apple IIe leaves no stone unturned in the search into the inner workings of the Apple IIe computer.” Jim Sather said in 2024, “It is highly gratifying to me that the book is well thought of.”
Highlights
- Table of Contents PDF – representing over 450 pages.
- Originally published in 1985, this “Enhanced Edition” is remastered with updated text, layout, color, and over 120 technical illustrations.
- Foreword by Steve Wozniak, Foreword by Brian Wiser, and Preface by Jim Sather.
- Brian Wiser designed and edited the new book and cover, like he does for other books.
- All Apple IIe motherboard circuits, including diagrams and descriptions of the inner workings of the MMU, IOU, and timing HAL.
- Disk controller operation, including previously undocumented details about the logic state sequencer.
- Reveals previously unnoticed features of Apple graphics. Explains Double High-Resolution.
- Differences between the Apple II and Apple IIe.
- 15 hardware and software Application Notes such as split screen programming, modifications to EPROM, disk write protect, and the DOS HOSS firmware card.
- A chapter on maintenance that provides simple troubleshooting steps.
- PAL (European) IIe motherboard video circuits.
- Valuable programming reference material.
- Now Documents the Enhanced IIe firmware upgrade, Apple IIe Platinum, and international models.
- A new Disk Image has been created by Bill Martens with all of the binaries and Applesoft programs listed in the book, available as an additional purchase in our Store.
Availability
“Understanding the Apple IIe: Enhanced Edition” is available in Paperback, Hardback, and Coil – printed in color – through the A.P.P.L.E. bookstore with production and fulfillment by Lulu.com. A disk image is available for purchase on our Store page.
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Preface from Jim Sather 
1- Apple IIe Overview 
2 – Bus Structure 
2 – Bus Structure 
3- Timing Generation and Video Scanner 
3- Timing Generation and Video Scanner 
4 – 6502 Microprocessor 
4 – 6502 Microprocessor 
5 – RAM and Memory Management 
5 – RAM and Memory Management 
6 – ROM (Enhanced, Platinum, International models) 
6 – ROM (Enhanced, Platinum, International models) 
7 – Input Output (Keyboard Encoder, Slots…) 
7 – Input Output 
7 – Input Output 
8 – Video Generation 
8 – Video Generation 
8 – Video Generation 
8 – Video Generation 
9 – Disk Controller 
9 – Disk Controller 
10 Maintenance and Care 
C – 6502 and 65C02 
C – 6502 and 65C02 
C – 6502 and 65C02 
E – Logic Circuits Primer 
F – Number Systems Primer 
G – Revisional Information 
I – Apple II and IIe Differences 
J – Glossary
Author
Jim Sather — Outside of writing Apple II books, James Fielding Sather had a varied career in electronics support and design, including a period of specializing in peripherals for the Apple II and Apple IIe. His books include Understanding the Apple II (1983) and Understanding the Apple IIe (1985) that encompass a unique technical examination of those computers. Sather created other products such as the “DOS HOSS” card (designed to quickly load DOS). The DOS HOSS was improved as the “quikLoader” card and operating system for the Apple II, II Plus and IIe, produced by Southern California Research Group in 1986. He is currently retired and enjoys recreational sports and the investigation of certain aspects of geometry in higher dimensions.
Producers
Brian Wiser — A producer of books, films, games, and events, as well as an Apple consultant, historian and archivist. Designer, editor, and co-producer of dozens of books including: Nibble Viewpoints: Business Insights From The Computing Revolution, Cyber Jack: The Adventures of Robert Clardy and Synergistic Software, Synergistic Software: The Early Games, Graphically Speaking: Enhanced Edition, What’s Where in the Apple: Enhanced Edition, Understanding the Apple IIe: Enhanced Edition, and The WOZPAK Special Edition: Steve Wozniak’s Apple-1 & Apple II Computers. Brian is also the author of The Etch-a-Sketch and Other Fun Programs. Producer/Director of the documentary film “Done The Impossible: The Fans’ Tale of Firefly & Serenity“, his Browncoat Cruise convention with Firefly cast, and an extra in the movie “Serenity.” Co-producer of Beagle Bros and Applied Engineering websites, the retro iOS game Structris, and co-producer/writer for CallAPPLE.org and Call-A.P.P.L.E. magazine.
Bill Martens — Apple historian and enthusiast, programmer, President of Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) and co-producer of Call-A.P.P.L.E. magazine, and books like: Cyber Jack, Synergistic Software: The Early Games, Nibble Viewpoints, The WOZPAK Special Edition, and What’s Where in the Apple: Enhanced Edition. Bill also co-produced and co-programmed the retro iOS game Structris. Bill is the author of ApPilot/W1, Beyond Quest, The Anatomy of an EAMON, and multiple EAMon adventure games. He is a systems engineer specializing in office infrastructures and has been programming since 1976. And he is the production editor for the A.P.P.L.E. website CallAPPLE.org, writes science fiction novels in his spare time, and is a retired semi-pro football player.
Publisher
Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) has been a global Apple user group since 1978, with membership peaking near 50,000 in 1985. Offering many services, A.P.P.L.E. is also a book publisher and game developer, and has produced dozens of new book titles since 2013 and over 100 Apple software titles. A.P.P.L.E. published the The WOZPAK Special Edition – a detailed book containing Steve Wozniak’s restored handwritten notes and printouts about his Apple II computer, as well as forewords from Steve Wozniak and other Apple legends. They also publish books such as: Graphically Speaking: Enhanced Edition by Mark Pelczarski, Tome of Copy Protection, Cyber Jack: The Adventures of Robert Clardy and Synergistic Software, Synergistic Software: The Early Games, Nibble Viewpoints: Business Insights From the Computing Revolution by Mike Harvey, What’s Where in The Apple: Enhanced Edition, The Colossal Computer Cartoon Book: Enhanced Edition by David H. Ahl, A.P.P.L.E. 1978 and 1979 magazine Compendiums, and the retro iOS game Structris.
Press information is available at: www.callapple.org/press
Books are listed at: www.callapple.org/books
